(BEDFORD) - Criminal charges against 26-year-old Heather Mefford, of 409 Old Ind. 158, have been dropped by Lawrence County Prosecutor Michelle Woodward.

In June, Mefford was charged with perjury, false informing and obstruction of justice. She accused Bedford Police Officer Joe Fender with hitting her in the face four to six times in the face.

The charges stemmed from an incident that allegedly happened in May. Fender was off-duty when he allegedly approached Mefford in a vehicle and began yelling and cussing at her and then hit her in the face.

But a Bedford Police Department investigation found the incident didn't happened and arrested Mefford June 8. Fender was put on leave while the department investigated the allegations.

But before the trial was set to start, Lawrence County Prosecutor Michelle Woodward determined it was in the best interest that the charges be dropped. Woodward said that potential witnesses in the case caused her concerns and concluded it was in the best interests of justice to drop the charges.

The Bedford Pension Board will hold a meeting Tuesday at 1 p.m. at City Hall to consider the retirement of Joe Fender.